Democratic Elected Officials

Marian Moskowitz has dedicated her career to growing and strengthening Chester County. After four decades as a responsible local developer, she ran for Commissioner in 2019 because she believes that everyone deserves to live in a safe and prosperous community. As the first Democratic Chairwoman of the County Board of Commissioners, she’s delivered real results for Chester County.

Under Marian’s leadership, Chester County now has the lowest unemployment rate in the region, our economy was ranked in the top 10 percent of High Performing Communities, and we were named the healthiest place to live in the state. From preserving our open space to investing in local infrastructure, Marian has shown up for the people of Chester County.

That’s because this has been Marian’s home for nearly 40 years, alongside her husband Dave, their five kids who they raised here, and their grandchildren. She’s been actively involved in the community, serving on the board of SEPTA, West Chester University, the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority, the People’s Light Theater, and on the Chester County Economic Development Council as past chair. Governor Wolf also named her to the Board of Governors for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Commissioner Josh Maxwell leads with progressive values to advocate for working families, promote equality, and preserve the environment. As commissioner, his priorities have included the county's first-ever employee group on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; a groundbreaking community-centered, values-based budgeting process; creating a mobile mental health crisis unit; numerous climate and open space incentives; and more. A graduate of West Chester University and UPenn's Fels Institute of Government, Josh lives in Downingtown with his wife, Blair.

Debbie Bookman was sworn in on January 2020 as Prothonotary. Since taking office Debbie has extended passport services to evening hours. Debbie has placed staff in roles that best suit their strength and interest, expanded bilingual services and increased diversity from 4% to 18%. Debbie prides herself on providing excellent community and customer services. She believes that when you are serving others it is often necessary to go the extra mile whenever possible. Customer service ultimately is the core of the Prothonotary’ s Office.

Elected in 2019. Deb Ryan is the first woman and first Democrat elected as District Attorney in Chester County. As DA, she Implemented the Chester County Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative, Created the Chester County Law Enforcement Task Force on Race & Justice,
Increased Youth Aid Panels, and Decreased crime by 10%.

The Office of the Sheriff is mandated by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Sheriff is an independent elected official with law enforcement responsibilities as well as civil and criminal court duties.

The Register of Wills probates wills and appoints estate representatives for decedents who die with or without a will. Regardless of where the death occurred, the decedent MUST have been a legal resident of Chester County at the time of death. The Register of Wills also serves as an agent for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for filing and payment of inheritance taxes.

The Treasurer is the custodian of all county funds. Payments of county taxes and fees, state and federal grants, and other monies due the county are received and deposited by this office.

The Clerk of Courts manages all paperwork for all criminal cases in the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.  This office handles approximately 5,000 – 6,000 criminal cases each year.

The County Code requires the Controller to maintain custody and stewardship of all County contracts.  All such documents are recorded to insure that the physical documents are received after they are approved by the Board of Commissioners.  The Controller perpetually monitors all contract, agreement and lease payments to ensure that no payment exceeds the limits or terms of those documents.

The Chester County Coroner's Office is an independent agency serving the citizens and honoring the deceased of the county by investigating the facts and circumstances concerning jurisdictional deaths which have occurred within Chester County.

The Recorder of Deeds office is the public repository for numerous legal documents including real estate records, military discharges, commissions and other official documents.

Senator John Kane is a plumber and local labor leader who has spent his life fighting for working people and working families. He has personally battled through many of the challenges facing Pennsylvanians today, and is ready to be a voice at the table for Delaware and Chester Counties.

State Senator Carolyn T. Comitta is a leader in championing our communities, defending our environment, and working to ensure a safer, cleaner, and brighter future for the next generation of Pennsylvanians and beyond. She has served her community as mayor, State Representative and State Senator.

Senator Tim Kearney is a longtime community leader in southeastern Pennsylvania, where he and his wife Claudia raised their family and started a small business providing architecture and design services to clients small and large in Delco and beyond. His work in the community motivated him to serve as a borough mayor and today, as State Senator for the 26th District.

Senator Katie Muth is a passionate advocate for change. Grounded in the strong values of hard work, dedication, and commitment to helping others, Senator Muth is determined to champion Pennsylvanians. In 2018, Senator Muth was elected to the state Senate’s 44th District, representing Montgomery, Chester and Berks Counties.

Rep Williams. is a member of the PA House of Representatives. He represents the 74th District in Chester County, which includes  Downingtown, Thorndale, Coatesville and Parkesburg.

State Representative Danielle Friel Otten elected in November 2018 to serve as state representative for the 155th District. Danielle lives in Exton with her husband and two children. She was born and raised in Philadelphia, and has called Chester County home for two decades after falling in love with the area while attending West Chester University.

Diane Herrin was elected in November 2020 to represent the 156th Legislative District. She is a graduate of Widener University with a B.A. in English.

Melissa Shusterman was elected to represent that 157th Legislative District on November 6, 2018. Melissa is a fourth generation resident of Chester County. Melissa was raised in Tredyffrin and graduated from Conestoga in 1985.

Representative Sappey is the first woman and first Democrat to represent the 158th legislative district. The 158th includes East Bradford, Avondale, East Marlborough, London Britain, New Garden, Newlin, West Bradford, West Marlborough and sections of West Goshen.

Kristine Howard was elected state representative for the 167th Legislative District in November 2018. The district includes parts of Charlestown, East Whiteland, Easttown, West Pikeland, West Whiteland, Willistown Township, and Malvern Borough.

Whether as a business owner or governor, Tom Wolf is a leader consistently taking on the status quo and trying to help middle class families. Tom is a different kind of leader, and he has been a different kind of governor.

The position's official duties are to serve as president of the state senate and chairing the Board of Pardons and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council. The Lieutenant governor works on additional projects and has a full schedule of community and speaking events.

The Attorney General is Pennsylvania’s top law enforcement official, with a wide range of responsibilities to protect and serve the citizens and agencies of the Commonwealth. The Attorney General is served by a staff of several hundred prosecutors, attorneys, investigators, agents and support staff in offices across the state, divided into four sections: the Criminal Law Division, the Public Protection Division, the Civil Division and the Operations Division.

Bob Casey is a champion for Pennsylvanians in the U.S. Senate, fighting for the needs of children, families, and workers across the Commonwealth.

U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, engineer, entrepreneur, and educator who is continuing her career of service as the first woman ever to represent Pennsylvania's 6th District in Congress.